Two trains collide near Bedford, leaving several injured

Collision and Immediate Response

Two East Midlands Railway passenger trains collided in the Bedford area on Friday evening, causing a number of injuries, some of which were serious. British Transport Police, along with Bedfordshire Police and Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue, responded to the incident near the Elstow interchange between the A421 and A6.

Health Secretary James Murray confirmed that people on the trains had been injured and said he was being kept updated. The trains involved were the 4:40pm service from Corby to London St Pancras and the 3:50pm service from Nottingham to London St Pancras. East Midlands Railway suspended all services to and from London St Pancras for the remainder of the day.

Passenger Accounts and Medical Response

Dr Pete Knapp, a passenger in the front carriage of one of the southbound trains, described the crash on Bluesky: "Train heading south from Bedford crashed at 17:12. Front of train ok, third carriage off rails. I'm ok with bloody legs and back impact. Others are not good. Sudden crash, no slowing down or horns. No warning."

Luton and Dunstable University Hospital urged people not to attend the emergency department unless they had a genuine emergency. The East of England Ambulance Service declared a "major incident" and dispatched an air ambulance and the Hazardous Area Response Team.

Investigation and Travel Disruption

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch sent a team of inspectors to the scene to start gathering evidence. Network Rail advised that there was no Thameslink service between Luton and Bedford and strongly advised delaying journeys in the area.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed deep concern and thanked emergency services. Bedford and Kempston MP Mohammad Yasin said he was "very sorry" to hear of the incident and would share more information soon.

Video posted on social media showed a damaged purple Luton Airport Express train and passengers standing alongside the tracks. One of the trains involved was the new East Midlands Railway Aurora, which entered service last year. Relatives and friends of passengers were asked not to travel to the scene.